The Gull's Call - Oct/Nov/Dec 2026

CommunityBoardColumn Rising to the Challenge: Protecting Bay Farm Island's Shoreline by Paul Beusterien, Community Board Treasurer A decade after FEMA first proposed flood map changes, our community is shifting from defense to action—and building a resilient, beautiful future for Bay Farm Island. O UR PERIMETER TRAILS, ACTIVE LAGOONS, AND scenic bay views define life here in Harbor Bay Isle. But behind the beauty lies a pressing reality: the waters around us are rising. A decade ago, in 2016, our neighborhood was grappling with preliminary FEMA flood maps and questioning complex computer models. Today, in 2026, we have shifted from learning about flood zones to actively rebuilding our shorelines to protect our shared home.

The Rising Water Beneath Us: Understanding Groundwater When we think of sea level rise, we usually picture big waves crashing over seawalls. But climate science and regional projections show a different, quieter threat: shallow groundwater rise. As the Bay rises, it pushes the island's shallow, underground water table upward from below. This will cause localized ponding in low-lying inland areas long before waves ever breach our barriers. Additionally, because the soil becomes completely saturated, it will dramatically reduce our neighborhood's capacity to absorb heavy winter rains. FEMA periodically updates its coastal models to reflect these higher base tides and wave energy. Over time, areas currently marked in the lower-risk "500-year floodplain" will progressively shift into the mandatory 100-year flood zone unless we act.

What the Flood Plain Designation Means for Your Wallet In December 2018, FEMA finalized the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), resulting in over 2000 Alameda parcels or approximately 3500 residential units designated as part of the 100-year coastal flood hazard. Of that number, about 700 parcels and 1000 homes are on Bay Farm Island. If you have a federally backed mortgage, this designation means you must maintain flood insurance. INSURANCE PRO-TIP: Under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 system, letting your flood insurance policy lapse for even a single day will immediately wipe out your statutory 18% annual rate cap. This resets your premium to the full, expensive actuarial risk rate on day one. Maintaining uninterrupted coverage is essential while we work toward permanent physical shoreline protections.

Designing a Resilient Coastline: The Bay Farm Island Adaptation Project Rather than disputing federal hydrology models, the City of Alameda adopted the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (CARP) in 2019 and joined forces with Oakland,

6 October | November | December 2026

The Gull’s Call